Site icon Naijaonpoint.com.ng

Muhammadu Buhari: After The Tributes, We Must Learn, Make Nigeria Better

1752575417 Late President Muhammadu Buhari

Nigeria’s immediate former President, Muhammadu Buhari, has left the nation in mourning following his ‘shocking’ death.

The former military and democratically elected leader is set to be laid to rest in his hometown, Daura, in Katsina State, amid mixed emotions.

However, beyond the prayers, tributes and lowered flags in honour of the former President, this is a moment that demands honesty, a moment to look back, take stock, and learn.

Buhari’s democratic presidency, which spanned eight years from 2015 to 2023, was historic in its rise and, for many Nigerians, heartbreaking in its outcome.

The Daura man came into power with the image of a no-nonsense general and the promise of a new Nigeria. Instead, many would argue, he left behind a country more divided, more insecure, and more economically fragile than he met it.

As Nigeria begins a new chapter, the question before us isn’t whether Buhari was good or bad; it’s what the next leaders must learn from the mistakes of the past.

A Presidency That Promised Change

When Buhari was declared the winner of the 2015 election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it felt like a turning point in the country. For the first time in Nigeria’s democratic history, an incumbent president was voted out of office.

That alone made news headlines across the world. Buhari’s campaign was built on three strong promises: security, anti-corruption, and economic revival. Nigerians, tired of the rot in the system, believed him.

From the start, the signs weren’t encouraging. It took six months for the President to form a cabinet, a baffling delay for a country already dealing with terrorism, economic pressure, and an impatient population.

That slow start would go on to define much of his administration: cautious, closed-off, and often disconnected from the urgency of Nigeria’s problems.

Insecurity

One of Buhari’s loudest campaign promises was to tackle insecurity, especially Boko Haram terrorists. To his credit, the terror group was weakened early in his tenure. But that victory was short-lived.

What followed was a nationwide spread of violence: banditry in the North-West, herder-farmer clashes in the Middle Belt, separatist unrest in the South-East, and the rise of kidnapping-for-ransom as a booming criminal industry. People were no longer just scared of insurgents; they were scared of travelling on highways, of sending their children to school, of going to bed at night.

And yet, the government’s response often felt cold, delayed, or absent entirely. There were too many times Nigerians asked: Where is the President?

During the #EndSARS protests, mass killings, and fuel and naira scarcity, what many people remember most is the silence.

The Economy Under Buhari

It became increasingly difficult to argue that Buhari’s government had improved the economy.

In fact, Nigeria slipped into two recessions, recorded an all-time high unemployment, and saw inflation eat deep into everyday lives. His government often leaned into protectionist policies, like border closures and forex restrictions, but the strategy never quite worked.

Instead of lifting people out of poverty, Buhari’s era saw Nigeria crowned the poverty capital of the world, with over 90 million people living on less than ₦1,000 a day.

The exchange rate became a national nightmare, with the naira tumbling against the dollar and the Central Bank of Nigeria  (CBN) managing it with confusing, multiple windows that only encouraged corruption and arbitrage.

The cost of living skyrocketed, even as wages stagnated. For many Nigerians, especially the youth, hope packed its bags and left.

Buhari’s Anti-Corruption War Lost Its Way

If there was one promise Buhari was expected to deliver on, it was the fight against corruption.

However, it will be difficult for Nigerians to argue that the administration addressed corruption without being selective. There were allegations of opposition figures being dragged through the courts and making headlines.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) made noise, but rarely did we see high-profile convictions that actually stuck.

Even when corruption scandals rocked major government agencies, there was little follow-through from the presidency. For some Nigerians, this became increasingly clear that the anti-corruption war had lost its credibility.

‘Detached Leadership’

Perhaps Buhari’s biggest flaw was his detachment. The number one citizen was accused of being rarely seen, rarely heard, and hardly ever present in moments that demanded leadership.

Nigerians grew used to hearing from spokespeople and press releases, while the man they voted for stayed silent.

Leadership isn’t just about making decisions; it’s also about showing up. During Buhari’s presidency, many Nigerians felt like they were on their own.

It is safe to say that Buhari’s administration was marked by ups and downs, despite its claims to have done its best.

Tinubu, Successive Govt Must Learn, Act

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, now over two years into office, cannot afford to repeat the missteps of his predecessor.

While Buhari had the luxury of goodwill and time on his side in the early days, Tinubu’s government was met with public frustration almost immediately, especially after the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira, both of which triggered hardship across the country.

The Tinubu administration must urgently prioritise clear communication, something Buhari never quite mastered.

Nigerians want to know where the ship is headed, not just through policies and documents, but through regular, honest conversations from the top.

Tinubu must also avoid surrounding himself with a ‘yes-man’ cabinet. Unlike his late predecessor, who was often accused of shielding underperforming aides, the current president must demand results and act swiftly when people fall short.

On security, Tinubu must go beyond military operations and focus on community-based intelligence, state policing, and economic reforms that address the root causes of crime. On the economy, he must invest in small businesses, agriculture, technology, and local production, rather than relying solely on oil or loans.

With two more years left in this first term, Tinubu still has time to chart a new course.

But that window is closing fast. The frustration in the streets is real, and the goodwill is thinning. This administration must learn, urgently and boldly, from the past to avoid becoming yet another disappointment.

Buhari’s presidency will mean different things to different people. For some, it was a time of discipline and national pride. For others, it was a season of silence, suffering, and shattered expectations.

But what cannot be denied is that his eight years left Nigeria at a crossroads.

Now, the road ahead belongs to those bold enough to look back, learn, and lead with courage. If Buhari’s legacy is to count for anything, it should be this: a reminder of what happens when a nation puts its faith in promises and forgets to demand performance.

Nigeria cannot afford another lost decade. Successive governments must do better and never wait until it’s too late.

By [Richard Ogunsile Joshua]

Exit mobile version